Conformance improvement additive, conformance treatment fluid made therefrom, method of improving conformance in a subterranean formation

ABSTRACT

For conformance treatment to plug an opening in subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a conformance additive including water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, a filter aid that is preferably diatomaceous earth, and optionally a reinforcing material. The method of forming a conformance fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation to plug the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to conformance additives and methods of making such additives, to conformance treatment fluids made therefrom and methods of making such fluids, to methods of modifying a well fluid with such additives, to methods of operating and a well using such additives, and to methods of improving conformance in a well using such additives and/or fluids. In another aspect, the present invention relates to conformance additives comprising polymer, crosslinking agent, and a filter aid, to conformance treatment fluids made therefrom and methods of making such fluids, to methods of modifying a well fluid, to methods of operating a well, and to methods of improving conformance in a well. In even another aspect, the present invention relates to conformance additives comprising a dry mixture of polymer, crosslinking agent, and a filter aid, to conformance treatment fluids made therefrom and methods of making such fluids, to methods of modifying a well fluid, to methods of operating a well, and to methods of improving conformance in a well. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to conformance additives comprising polymer and diatomaceous earth (“DE”), to conformance treatment fluids made therefrom, to methods of modifying a well fluid, to methods of operating a well, and to methods of improving conformance in a well.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formations, poor vertical conformance results from the vertical juxtaposition of relatively high permeability geologic zones to relatively low permeability zones within the subterranean formation. Poor areal conformance results from the presence of high permeability streaks and high permeability anomalies within the formation matrix, such as vertical fractures and networks of the same, which have very high permeability relative to the formation matrix. Fluids generally exhibit poor flow profiles and sweep efficiencies in subterranean formations having poor vertical or areal conformance. Poor conformance is particularly a problem where vertical heterogeneity and/or fracture networks or other structural anomalies are in fluid communication with a subterranean wellbore across which fluids are injected or produced.

The prior art is replete with a number of attempts to remedy conformance problems. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,762,476; 3,981,363; 4,018,286; and 4,039,029 to Gall or Gall et al describe various processes wherein gel compositions are formed in high permeability zones of subterranean formations to reduce the permeability therein. According to U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,476, a polymer such as polyacrylamide is injected into a formation followed sequentially by a crosslinking agent. The sequentially injected slugs are believed to permeate the treatment zone of the formation and gel in situ.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,949 and 4,744,419 both to Sydansk et al., both note that it is generally held that effective polymer/crosslinking agent systems necessitate sequential injection of the gel components because gel systems mixed on the surface often set up before they can effectively penetrate the treatment region. Both Sydansk et al. patents further note that in practice, treatments such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,476 using sequentially injected gel systems have proven unsatisfactory because of the inability to achieve complete mixing and gelation in the formation. As a result, gels only form at the interface of the unmixed gel components and often in regions remote from the desired treatment region.

Both of the Sydansk et al. patents purport to overcome a then-existing need in the art for a gelation process capable of forming gels having a predetermined gelation rate, strength, and stability to satisfy the particular demands of a desired treatment region in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation, through the use of a high molecular weight water-soluble acrylamide polymer, a chromium III/carboxylate complex cross-linking agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,760 to Merrill notes that while the polymer system of Sydansk et al. '949 was an improvement over prior art systems which required sequential injection of the polymer components, difficulty was still encountered in employing the '949 polymer system to plug large fissures because the larger masses of polymer required often lack the necessary strength to resist the pressures to which they are exposed. Merrill proposes the incorporation of fibers in the polymer by mixing the fibers with the polymer solution at the surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,384 discloses a method of sealing thief zones in a subterranean formation by plugging pores with a solid material. A slurry of finely divided inorganic solids is injected into the formation together with an aqueous colloidal dispersion of a water-insoluble metal hydroxide in a dilute aqueous solution of a high-molecular-weight organic polymeric polyelectrolyte. The preferred polymer solution contains between about 0.01 and about 0.2 percent by weight of high molecular weight polyacrylamide or hydrolyzed polyacrylamide. At these concentrations, the dissolved polymer causes the suspended solids to flocculate, thereby blocking pores in the formation. The tested inorganic solids which interacted with the polymer solution to form strong solids included finely ground asbestos fibers and magnesium oxide. However, asbestos is undesirable for use today, due to its carcinogenicity.

Another approach taken by the prior art is to pump a slurry containing a mixture of flexible fibers and a bonding agent into highly permeable portions of a formation interval. An agent which precipitates or gels the bonding agent is then injected into the interval. The goal of the method is to build up a filter cake of fibers on the permeable formation as a result of the fibers being deposited out of the slurry as the slurry flows through, the permeable formation, and then bond the fibers of the filter cake in place. Examples of such a method are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,593,798, 3,949,811 and 3,462,958.

Larger fissures are bridged according to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,973 by setting fibrous plants in place in the fissure, after which cement is added, thereby building on the framework of the plants. While such a method can bridge larger gaps, the process is impractical for use in deep formations that extend over a large area.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,834 discloses a method of stabilizing earth formations by injecting an aqueous solution of gelling material which contains finely divided inert solids and needle-like crystals of silicate materials which act as a suspending agent to prevent premature settling out of the solids. The resulting gel does not, however, provide the desired combination of strength, economy, ease of mixing and ability to be readily introduced into a formation.

As an advance over the above prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,121, issued Aug. 15, 2000, to Boyce D. Burts, Jr., for “Conformance improvement additive, conformance treatment fluid made therefrom, method of improving conformance in a subterranean formation,” discloses an additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of treating the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation.

While not believed to be related prior art because they relate to different types of well operations, for completeness, attention is directed to five other similar “dry mixture” patents by Boyce D. Burts, Jr., which were filed on the same day (Oct. 31, 1997) as the '121 Patent: U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,343, issued Apr. 17, 2001, for “Additive for, treatment fluid for, and method of plugging a tubing/casing annulus in a well bore,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,712, issued Aug. 8, 2000, for “Method of plugging a well,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,879, issued Jan. 25, 2000, for “Lost circulation additive, lost circulation treatment fluid made therefrom, and method of minimizing lost circulation in a subterranean formation,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,871, issued Jan. 25, 2000, for “Hydraulic fracturing additive, hydraulic fracturing treatment fluid made therefrom, and method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,869, issued Jan. 25, 2000, for “Well kill additive, well kill treatment fluid made therefrom, and method of killing a well.”

A number of patents discuss the use of diatomaceous earth (“DE”) in a well operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,542, issued Apr. 30, 1968 to Clear, for restoring lost circulation discloses a oil-based drilling fluid, containing a slurry of diatomite and asbestos, used to restore lost circulation during well drilling operations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,844, issued Jan. 25, 1983 to Clear, discloses that various formation sealing agents have been used in the art to form formation seals and/or filter cakes on the wall of a well bore, including diatomaceous earth.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,225, issued Aug. 29, 1978 to Cagle, discloses that zones of lost circulation and other undesired fluid communication channels into a wellbore are sealed by isolating a volume in the well including such a zone and applying greater than formation pressure to a novel slurry spotted in the zone until it hardens into a solid, drillable seal. The slurry contains per barrel from 5-50 pounds diatomaceous mix, from about 35 to about 350 pounds of oil well cement, and at a minimum about 5 to 6 pounds of a flake type lost-circulation agent. This '225 patent cites a number of patents that disclose cement/diatomaceous earth compositions, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,585,336; 2,793,957; 2,961,044; 3,467,198; and 3,558,335.

Regarding these patents, the '225 patent notes the following:

-   -   Regarding U.S. Pat. No. 2,585,336, the '225 patent notes, “a         mixture is made using from 2% to 100% diatomaceous earth,         compared to the content of the cement in the slurry. The aim of         the inventors was to prevent perlite from settling and to         produce a lightweight cement. The diatomaceous earth-cement         described in the disclosure is a mixture of Portland cement,         perlite and diatomaceous earth, lime, and asbestos fibers.”     -   Regarding U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,957, the '225 patent notes,         “refers to a highly permeable cement formed by use of the same         basic mixtures of diatomaceous earth with Portland cement, the         diatomaceous earth present being from five to seven times the         proportion of the Portland cement in the slurry. The aim of the         inventors was to produce a light highly permeable cement,         entirely opposite to the purpose of my invention.”     -   Regarding U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,044, the '225 patent notes,         “discusses and claims a cement composition which has         diatomaceous earth in the amounts of from 30% to 70% of the         Portland cement. The reason for using the diatomaceous earth was         to prevent the strength retrogression of a salt-saturated         cement. Thus, while Shell wishes (among other uses) to employ         his mixture for squeeze cementing, he produces a relatively         high-strength cement plug. There is a real tendency when         redrilling such a plug for the bit to be deflected or         sidetracked so that the new hole is beside rather than through         the bore and the seal is ineffective. This is completely         different from my invention which minimizes such tendency by         producing a plug at least as drillable as the formation in which         it is set. Also, Shell is directed to operations using         salt-saturated cement slurries, while I prefer using a fresh or         brackish water slurry. I employ lost-circulation agents; he         makes no teaching of using such additives. Accordingly, his         teaching is quite far from mine.”     -   Regarding both U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,467,198 and 3,558,335, the '225         patent notes, “describe cement compositions having diatomaceous         mix present in the amounts from 0.5% to 10% of the amount of         Portland cement present to prevent solids-settling.”

U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,844, issued Jan. 25, 1983 to Clear, discloses slurries to seal permeable earth formations encountered in the drilling of wells, comprising finely divided paper, diatomaceous earth, and in a further embodiment, lime. A slug of the slurry is spotted at the locus of the permeable formation and defluidized to form a formation seal on which a mud sheath is then deposited.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,751, issued Mar. 19, 1985, discloses a silicate/silica cement in oil field applications, including diatomaceous earth as a species of silica compound.

While not believed to be analogous prior art because it relates to earthen pits (for example a ditch) and not to subterrean wellbores nor well operations, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,644, issued Sep. 7, 1999 to Gibbons et al., is included herein for completeness because it discloses a gelable slurry of aqueous solvent, a crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and unconsolidated solids such as diatomaceous earth. This gelable slurry is placed in an earthen pit and allowed to form into a fluid impermeable barrier wall in the earthen pit. The polymer serves to bind the unconsolidated solids to convert the gelable slurry to a nondeformable gelled continuum of consolidated solids, which forms the barrier wall in the earthen pit. As disclosed in the '644 Patent in the Summary of the Invention section, at col. 1, lines 57-67, this gelable slurry is prepared by first forming a liquid gelation solution of the polymer and crosslinking agent, to which is subsequently mixed with the unconsolidated solids, or alternatively, by sequentially mixing the aqueous solvent, crosslinkable polymer, and polymer crosslinking agent with the unconsolidated solids.

However, in spite of the advancements in the prior art, there still need for further innovation in the conformance.

These needs in the art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for further innovation in the conformance improvement arts.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a conformance additive comprising a water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. In a further embodiment of this embodiment, the additive is a dry mixture.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a well fluid comprising a conformance fluid, water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid.

According to even another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying a conformance fluid. The method generally includes providing a conformance additive comprising a mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. While this additive may be in any form, it is preferably a dry mixture. The method also includes contacting the conformance fluid with the conformance additive to form a modified conformance fluid.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for plugging an opening in a subterranean formation. The method includes providing a conformance fluid comprising water or an aqueous solution, water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. The method also includes injecting the conformance fluid into the formation and into the opening to be plugged. The method also includes dewatering the conformance fluid to force the polymer and crosslinking agent through the opening and into the formation, and to form the filter aid into a plug in the opening.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for plugging an opening in a subterranean formation. The method includes providing a conformance fluid comprising water or an aqueous solution, water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. The method also includes injecting the conformance fluid into the formation and into the opening to be plugged. The method also includes applying pressure to dewater the conformance fluid to force the polymer and crosslinking agent through the opening and into the formation, and to form the filter aid into a plug in the opening.

According to even yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of circulating a fluid in a welbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The method includes providing a conformance fluid comprising water or an aqueous solution, water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. The method also includes circulating the conformance fluid in the wellbore.

According to even yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying a conformance fluid circulating in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The method includes introducing a water soluble crosslinkable polymer, crosslinking agent, and filter aid to the circulating conformance fluid.

Various further embodiments of any or all of the above embodiments include any or all of the following in any combination: the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, perlite, glass beads, magnesium silicate, solid thermoplastic or thermoset polymer beads, talc, and calcium silicate; or the polymer is an a carboxylate-containing polymer, and the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) carboxylate complexes, aldehydes, dialdehydes, formaldehydes, glutaraldehyde, dichromates, titanium chelates, phenols, substituted phenols, ethers, aluminum citrate, and aluminates; the filter aid comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth or pearlite; the polymer comprises a low molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight less than 500,000, and a high molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight of at least 500,000; the polymer is a water soluble, carboxylate containing acrylamide, and the crosslinking agent is a chromium (III) carboxylate complex; the filter aid is diatomaceous earth; the filter aid is pearlite; the reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and comminuted plant material; and/or various weight percentages are in the range of about 4 to about 35 weight percent polymer, in the range of about 1 to about 10 weight percent cross linking agent, and in the range of about 55 to about 95 weight percent filter aid, based on the total weight of the polymer, cross linking agent and filter aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The conformance additive of the present invention includes polymer, cross-linking agent, filter aid, and optionally a reinforcing material, preferably either fibers or comminuted particles of plant materials, and optionally any other materials that are known in the art. It is to be understood that the conformance additive of the present invention may be in the form of a dry mixture or a slurry. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conformance additive is a dry mixture.

A well fluid of the present invention comprises the additive of the invention. In a method of modifying a conformance fluid to form a modified conformance fluid, the conformance fluid to be modified is contacted the additive or well fluid of the present invention.

Any suitable relative amounts of the polymer, crosslinking agent, filter aid and the optional reinforcing materials may be utilized in the present invention provided that the desired conformance results are achieved. Generally, the relative amounts of each will be determined based on the particular application to which the additive is to be subjected. A suitable amount of crosslinking agent is provided to reach the desired amount of crosslinking. The amount of optional reinforcing material is selected to provide desired physical properties.

Any suitable types of filter aid materials as are known in the filtration art may be utilized as the filter aid component in the present invention. All that is necessary is that the filter aid will function to be “squeezed” and allow migration of the solution of polymer and crosslinking agent into the formation, and will form a plug of the filter aid that will hold the solution in place until it sufficiently crosslinks. Non-limiting examples of which include diatomaceous earth (“DE” or diatomite), perlite (or pearlite), glass beads, magnesium silicate, solid thermoplastic or thermoset polymers generally in powder form, talc (naturally occuring form of hydrous magnesium silicate containing varying proportions of such associated minerals as alpha-quartz, calcite, chlorite, dolomite, kaolin, magnesite, and phlogopite), and calcium silicate (for example, see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,038, issued May 12, 1998, to Tsunematsu, for “Method for the preparation of acid-resistant calcium silicate,” incorporate herein by reference), and any combination of two or more of the above. Preferably, the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth perlite (or pearlite), magnesium silicate, and talc. More preferably, the filter aid is a mineral based type of filter aid, non-limiting examples of which include diatomaceous earth, pearlite, magnesium silicate, talc and calcium silicate, and any combination of two or more of the above. Even more preferably, the filter aid comprises pearlite and/or diatomaceous earth. Still more preferably, the filter aid comprises diatomaceous earth.

The amount of filter aid to be utilized is generally not dependent upon the amount of polymer or crosslinking agent, but rather, is that amount sufficient to form a plug to retain the polymer in place until it crosslinks sufficiently to remain in place on its own. However, in an effort to quantify the amount of filter aid, a weight ratio of filter aid to polymer is provided for convenience.

Generally, the weight ratio of filter aid:polymer in the additive is in the range of about 100:1 to about 1:100, preferably in the range of about 50:1 to about 1:50, more preferably in the range of about 15:1 to about 1:15, even more preferably in the range of about 5:1 to about 1:5, and still more preferably in the range of about 5:1 to about 1:1.

Commercially, it is envisioned that the additive will be packaged in a single bag, to promote ease of use and eliminate the necessity of any measuring and/or mixing at the well site. As a non-limiting example of a commercial embodiment, a 40 pound bag might contain any where from about 1.5 to about 17.5 lbs. polymer, from about 0.4 to about 5 lbs. crosslinking agent, and the balance of from about 17.5 to about 38.1 lbs. filter aid.

In weight percentage terms, examples of weight percentage ranges include from about 4 to about 35 weight percent polymer, from about 1 to about 10 weight percent cross linking agent, and from about 55 to about 95 weight percent filter aid, based on the total weight of the polymer, cross linking agent and filter aid. Specific non-limiting examples of useful compositions include 4% polymer, 1% cross linker, 95% DE, or 24% polymer, 6% cross linker, 70% DE, or 35% polymer, 10% cross linker, 55% DE.

The particle size distribution of the filter aid is selected to allow dewatering of the filter aid (i.e., the solution containing polymer and crosslinking agent will separate from the filter aid), and to allow formation of a plug of the filter aid that retains the polymer and crosslinking agent in the reservoir during crosslinking. It is believed that the particle size distribution will be determined by the reservoir conditions.

Other additives as are known in the well fluid art may be utilized, non limiting examples of which include surfactants, dispersants, retarders, accelerants, weighting agents (such as hematite, barite or calcium carbonate), lost circulation materials and other additives may be provided as necessary or desired.

The polymer utilized in the practice of the present invention is preferably water soluble and must be capable of being pumped as a liquid and subsequently crosslinked in place to form a substantially non-flowing crosslinked polymer which has sufficient strength to withstand the pressures exerted on it. Optionally, when reinforcing materials are utilized, it would have a network structure capable of incorporating reinforcing materials.

While any suitable water soluble polymer may be utilized, the preferred polymer utilized in the practice of the present invention is a water soluble carboxylate-containing polymer, more preferably a water soluble partially hydrolyzed carboxylate-containing polymer. This carboxylate-containing polymer may be any crosslinkable, high molecular weight, water-soluble, synthetic polymer or biopolymer containing one or more carboxylate species.

For an example of polymers and crosslinking agents suitable for use herein and details regarding their making and use, please see any of the above listed patents to Boyce D. Burts, Jr. all herein incorporated by reference, or please see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,949, 4,723,605, 4,744,418, 4,770,245, 4,844,168, 4,947,935, 4,957,166 and 4,989,673, 5,377,760, 5,415,229, 5,421,411, all herein incorporated by reference.

The average molecular weight of the carboxylate-containing polymer utilized in the practice of the present invention is in the range of about 10,000 to about 50,000,000, preferably in the range of about 100,000 to about 20,000,000, more preferably in the range of about 200,000 to about 15,000,000, and still more preferably in the range of about 200,000 to about 10,000,000.

In some instances, a blend of two polymers, a lower molecular weight polymer and a higher molecular weight polymer may be utilized. For example, in some instances where high fluid loss is encountered, such as a hole in the casing, a fault zone, loose sand, unconsolidated zones, or vugular formations, higher molecular weight polymer must be utilized. However, this higher molecular weight polymer causes problems in mixing, pumping and total polymer load. Thus, this higher molecular weight polymer is mixed with a lower molecular weight polymer to provide mixing, pumping and loading as desired.

Generally, this lower molecular weight polymer has a molecular weight less than 1,000,000, preferably less than 500,000, and more preferably less than 200,000. Generally the lower molecular weight polymer will have a molecular weight in the range of about 20,000 to less than 1,000,000, preferably in the range of about 20,000 to less than 500,000, and more preferably in the range of about 200,000 to less than 500,000. The higher molecular weight polymer generally has a molecular weight of at least 1,000,000, preferably from about 1,000,000 to about 50,000,000, more preferably from about 5,000,000 to about 20,000,000, and even more preferably from about 6,000,000 to about 12,000,000.

Biopolymers useful in the present invention include polysaccharides and modified polysaccharides. Non-limiting examples of biopolymers are xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, o-carboxychitosans, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and modified starches. Non-limiting examples of useful synthetic polymers include acrylamide polymers, such as polyacrylamide, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and terpolymers containing acrylamide, acrylate, and a third species. As defined herein, polyacrylamide (PA) is an acrylamide polymer having substantially less than 1% of the acrylamide groups in the form of carboxylate groups. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) is an acrylamide polymer having at least 1%, but not 100%, of the acrylamide groups in the form of carboxylate groups. The acrylamide polymer may be prepared according to any conventional method known in the art, but preferably has the specific properties of acrylamide polymer prepared according to the method disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,114 to Argabright et al incorporated herein by reference.

Any crosslinking agent suitable for use with the selected polymer may be utilized in the practice of the present invention. Non limiting examples of suitable crosslinking agents includes chromium (III) carboxylate complexes, aldehydes, dialdehydes, formaldehydes, glutaraldehyde, dichromates, titanium chelates, phenols, substituted phenols, ethers, aluminum citrate, and aluminates.

Preferably, the crosslinking agent utilized in the present invention is a chromic carboxylate complex.

The term “complex” is defined herein as an ion or molecule containing two or more interassociated ionic, radical or molecular species. A complex ion as a whole has a distinct electrical charge while a complex molecule is electrically neutral. The term “chromic carboxylate complex” encompasses a single complex, mixtures of complexes containing the same carboxylate species, and mixtures of complexes containing differing carboxylate species.

The chromic carboxylate complex useful in the practice of the present invention includes at least one or more electropositive chromium III species and one or more electronegative carboxylate species. The complex may advantageously also contain one or more electronegative hydroxide and/or oxygen species. It is believed that, when two or more chromium III species are present in the complex, the oxygen or hydroxide species may help to bridge the chromium III species. Each complex optionally contains additional species which are not essential to the polymer crosslinking function of the complex. For example, inorganic mono- and/or divalent ions, which function merely to balance the electrical charge of the complex, or one or more water molecules may be associated with each complex. Non-limiting representative formulae of such complexes include: [Cr₃(CH₃CO₂)₆(OH)₂]¹⁺; [Cr₃(CH₃CO₂)₆(OH)₂]NO₃.6H₂O; [Cr₃(CH₃CO₂)₆(OH)₂]³⁺; and  [Cr₃ (CH₃CO₂)₆(OH)₂](CH₃CO₂)₃.H₂O.

“Trivalent chromium” and “chromic ion” are equivalent terms encompassed by the term “chromium III” species as used herein.

The carboxylate species are advantageously derived from water-soluble salts of carboxylic acids, especially low molecular weight mono-basic acids. Carboxylate species derived from salts of formic, acetic, propionic, and lactic acid, substituted derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof are preferred. The preferred carboxylate species include the following water-soluble species: formate, acetate, propionate, lactate, substituted derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Acetate is the most preferred carboxylate species. Examples of optional inorganic ions include sodium, sulfate, nitrate and chloride ions.

A host of complexes of the type described above and their method of preparation are well known in the leather tanning art. These complexes are described in Shuttleworth and Russel, Journal of the Society of Leather Trades' Chemists, “The Kinetics of Chrome Tannage Part I.,” United Kingdom, 1965, v. 49, p. 133-154; “Part III.,” United Kingdom, 1965, v. 49, p. 251-260; “Part IV.,” United Kingdom, 1965, v. 49, p. 261-268; and Von Erdman, Das Leder, “Condensation of Mononuclear Chromium (III) Salts to Polynuclear Compounds,” Eduard Roether Verlag, Darmstadt Germany, 1963, v. 14, p. 249; and incorporated herein by reference. Udy, Marvin J., Chromium. Volume 1: Chemistry of Chromium and its Compounds. Reinhold Publishing Corp., N.Y., 1956, pp. 229-233; and Cotton and Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., N.Y., 1972, pp. 836-839, further describe typical complexes which may be within the scope of the present invention and are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is not limited to the specific complexes and mixtures thereof described in the references, but may include others satisfying the above-stated definition.

Salts of chromium and an inorganic monovalent anion, e.g., CrCl3, may also be combined with the crosslinking agent complex to accelerate gelation of the polymer solution, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,605 to Sydansk, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The molar ratio of carboxylate species to chromium III in the chromic carboxylate complexes used in the process of the present invention is typically in the range of 1:1 to 3.9:1. The preferred ratio is range of 2:1 to 3.9:1 and the most preferred ratio is 2.5:1 to 3.5:1.

The optional reinforcing material of the present invention may comprise fibers or comminuted particles of plant materials, and preferably comprises comminuted particles of one or more plant materials.

Fibers suitable for use in the present invention are selected from among hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. Incorporation of hydrophobic fibers will require use of a suitable wetting agent. Preferably, the fibers utilized in the present invention comprise hydrophilic fibers, most preferably both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers.

With respect to any particular fiber employed in the practice of the present invention, it is believed that the longer the fiber, the more difficult it is to be mixed uniformly in solution. It is believed that fibers as long as 12,500 microns may tend to aggregate and form clumps. The shorter the fiber, it is believed the easier it is to mix in solution. On the other hand, the shorter the fiber, the greater the quantity necessary to provide the desired level of strength in a reinforced mature gel. In general, the fibers utilized in the present invention will have a length in the range of 100 microns to 3200 microns, preferable 100 microns to 1000 microns.

Non-limiting examples of suitable hydrophobic fibers include nylon, rayon, hydrocarbon fibers and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of suitable hydrophilic fibers include glass, cellulose, carbon, silicon, graphite, calcined petroleum coke, cotton fibers, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of comminuted particles of plant materials suitable for use in the present invention include any derived from: nut and seed shells or hulls such as those of peanut, almond, brazil, cocoa bean, coconut, cotton, flax, grass, linseed, maize, millet, oat, peach, peanut, rice, rye, soybean, sunflower, walnut, wheat; various portions of rice including the rice tips, rice straw and rice bran; crude pectate pulp; peat moss fibers; flax; cotton; cotton linters; wool; sugar cane; paper; bagasse; bamboo; corn stalks; various tree portions including sawdust, wood or bark; straw; cork; dehydrated vegetable matter (suitably dehydrated carbonhydrates such as citrus pulp, oatmeal, tapioca, rice grains, potatoes, carrots, beets, and various grain sorghams); whole ground corn cobs; or various plant portions the corn cob light density pith core, the corn cob ground woody ring portion, the corn cob coarse or fine chaff portion, cotton seed stems, flax stems, wheat stems, sunflower seed stems, soybean stems, maize stems, rye grass stems, millet stems, and various mixtures of these materials.

Optionally a dispersant for the comminuted plant material in the range of about 1 to about 20 pounds, preferably in the range of about 5 to about 10 pounds, and more preferably in the range of about 7 to about 8 pounds of dispersant may be utilized per pound of comminuted plant material. A non-limiting example of a dispersant would be NaCl.

Preferred comminuted materials useful in the practice of the present invention include those derived from peanuts, wood, paper any portion of rice seed or plant, and any portion of corn cobs.

These various materials can be comminuted to very fine particle sizes by drying the products and using hammer mills, cutter heads, air control mills or other comminution methods as is well known to those of skill in the comminution art. Air classification equipment or other means can be used for separation of desired ranges of particle sizes using techniques well-known in the comminution art.

Any suitable size of comminuted material may be utilized in the present invention, along as such size produces results which are desired. Of course, the particle size will be a function of diameter of the porosity passages. While the present invention will find utility for passages on the order of microns in diameter, it will also find utility on larger passages, for example, those with diameters greater than 1/64, 1/16 or event ⅛ of an inch.

In most instances, the size range of the comminuted materials utilized herein will range from below about 8 mesh (“mesh” as used herein refers to standard U.S. mesh), preferably from about −65 mesh to about −100 mesh, and more preferably from about −65 mesh to about −85 mesh. Specifically preferred particle sizes for some materials are provided below.

Preferred mixtures of comminuted materials useful in the practice of the present invention include a rice fraction and peanut hulls; a rice fraction and wood fiber and/or almond hulls; a rice fraction and a corn cob fraction, preferably a chaff portion; and a corn cob fraction, preferably a pith or chaff portion, a rice fraction, and at least one of wood fiber, nut shells, paper and shredded cellophane.

Rice is commercially available in the form of rice hulls, rice tips, rice straw and rice bran, as these various parts of the rice plant are separated commercially and are widely available from rice mills. Preferably, the size range of the rice fraction utilized herein will range from below about 8 mesh (“mesh” as used herein refers to standard U.S. mesh), preferably from about −65 mesh to about −100 mesh, and more preferably from about −65 mesh to about −85 mesh.

After the corn kernals are removed, corn cobs consist of four principle parts that are arranged concentrically. The central portion is a very light density pith core, that is surrounded by a woody ring, that in turn is surrounded by a coarse chaff portion, that in turn is covered by a fine chaff portion. The coarse and fine chaff portions form the sockets for ancoring the corn kernels to the corncob. The normal methods of grinding corncobs produce a mixture of all four parts enumerated above. It is possible, however, to separate the woody ring material from the remainder of the cob. The chaff portion of the corncob remaining after removal of the woody ring material is known as “bees wings”. In the present invention, any of the pith or chaff portions(“BPC”) are the preferred portions of the corn cob, with the chaff portions being more preferred. A range of particle sizes of pith and chaff can be obtained from comminution, but the size range smaller than about 8 mesh is suitable for this invention. Preferably, a particle size distribution ranging from smaller than 8 mesh to smaller than 100 mesh is utilized.

Preferred woods for use as comminuted materials in the present invention include any type of hard wood fiber, including cedar fiber, oak fiber, pecan fiber and elm fiber. Preferably the wood fiber comprises cedar fibers.

Preferred nut shells for use in the present invention include pecan, walnut, and almond. Preferably, the nut shells comprise at least one of pecan or walnut shells.

Preferred particle sizes for the wood fibers, nut shells, paper and cellophane will generally range from about +10 mesh to −100 mesh. An illustration of a non-limiting particle size distribution for these materials would include particles of +10 mesh, +20 mesh, +30 mesh, +50 mesh, +60 mesh, +100 mesh, and −100 mesh.

For one of the preferred comminuted plant mixtures comprising a corn cob fraction, a rice fraction, and at least one of wood fiber, nut shells, paper and shredded cellophane, the mixture will generally comprise in the range of about 5 to about 95 weight percent rice, in the range of about 5 to about 95 weight percent corncob pith or chaff, with the total of ground wood fiber, ground nut shells, ground paper and shredded cellophane comprising in the range of about 5 to about 95 weight percent (weight percent based on the total weight of plant material in the mixture. Preferred ranges are about 20 to about 75 weight percent rice, about 5 to about 35 weight percent corncob pith or chaff, with the total of ground wood fiber, ground nut shells, ground paper and shredded cellophane comprising in the range of about 20 to about 75 weight percent. More preferred ranges are about 30 to about 50 weight percent rice, about 10 to about 30 weight percent corncob pith and chaff, with the total of ground wood fiber, ground nut shells, ground paper and shredded cellophane comprising in the range of about 25 to about 50 weight percent.

As these comminuted materials are to be added to a water base conformance fluid, a small amount of oil may optionally added to the mixture. This optional oil is preferably added while the plant materials are being mixed together. This mixing may take place in a ribbon blender, where the oil in the required amount is applied by a spray bar. The oil wets the particles and adds to their lubricity while at the same time helping to control dust produced by the mixing operation. A variety of oils may be utilized in the practice of the present invention in concentrations generally ranging from about 1 percent to about 5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the mixture of comminuted materials, more preferably ranging from about 1 percent to about 2 percent. A non-limiting example of a commercially available oil suitable for use in the present invention includes ISOPAR V, available from Exxon Corporation.

In the method of the present invention for forming a conformance additive, the various components of polymer, crosslinking agent and filter aid, may be mixed in any form (dry form, liquid form, or slurry form) in any suitable order utilizing mixing techniques as known to those in the art.

Specifically, a dry conformance additive may be formed by mixing solid polymer, solid crosslinking agent and solid filter aid to form a solid (dry) conformance additive.

In the practice of the present invention, liquid conformance additive may be formed by mixing the various components in any form (dry form or liquid or slurry form) in any suitable order utilizing mixing techniques as know to those in the art. If the various components are mixed in dry form, this dry mixture may subsequently may be contacted with water or aqueous solution to form a liquid conformance additive.

Conformance fluids are known to those of skill in the art, and would generally be of the category of well fluid known as completion fluids. Generally such fluids are liquids in which a density agent has been included to increase the density of the fluid (generally some type of metal salt), and under certain limited circumstances may optionally also include a solid phase (making it more like a traditional drilling fluid).

In a method of treating a conformance fluid, the conformance fluid to be treated is contacted with a liquid or solid form of the conformance additive of the present invention. Preferably, the conformance fluid is contacted with a dry mixture (i.e., solid form) of the conformance additive. Of course, the various components of the additive (i.e., polymer, crosslinking agent, and filter aid) may be added individually to the conformance fluid to be treated.

A well fluid of the present invention comprises an aqueous component, polymer, crosslinking agent, and filter aid. A modified conformance fluid comprises a traditional conformance fluid and the conformance additive or fluid of the present invention.

In a method of operating a well of the present invention in which a well fluid is circulating down from the surface of the well, through the drill string positioned in a wellbore, and out through openings in the drill bit such that the well fluid is then circulated upwardly in the annulus between the side of the wellbore and the rotating drill string, the present invention includes circulating such a well fluid comprising the conformance additive. The conformance additive can be added to the circulating fluid in liquid or solid form or of course, the individual components may be added to the circulating fluid in liquid or solid form. Alternatively, the conformance additive may be added to the fluid prior to it being circulated.

In well operation, it is also known to define a vertically limited zone into which a slurry is then pumped and subsequently squeezed by application of pressure (either from the formation itself, or by application of pressure to the zone). In a method of performing a well operation of the present invention, the conformance fluid of the present invention is pumped into a desired vertically defined zone in the well, and then “squeezed” to dewater the fluid such that a plug of the filter aid remains behind and the solution of polymer and crosslinking agent migrates into the formation. The filter aid plug remains in place to prevent or slow down the escape of the solution back into the well allowing time for the solution to form a gel plug. In this well operation, one may start with a well fluid containing the polymer, crosslinking agent and filter aid, or these various components may be introduced to the well fluid in any combination/or of one or more in liquid or dry form, or as the additive or conformance fluid as discussed above.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided merely to illustrate some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to, nor do they, limit the scope of the claims.

DE

The DE utilized in this example was that produced by Eagle Picher Minerals, Inc., and sold under the trademark CELATOM® Diatomite ET-905. As measured, the particle size distribution was:

-   -   8% +200 mesh     -   92% −200 mesh

Polymer

The polymers utilized were obtained from Ciba and a water-soluble, crosslinkable, carboxylate-containing acrylamide polymers, CIBA 254 (MW from 300,000 to less than 500,000) and CIBA 935 (MW from 6 to 9 million).

Crosslinking Agent

The crosslinking agent was chromium acetate.

Formulations

-   -   Formulation No. 1         -   17.5 grams 254         -   5 grams CrIII Acetate         -   27.5 grams DE     -   Formulation No. 2         -   12 grams 254         -   3 grams CrIII Acetate         -   25 grams DE     -   Formulation No. 1         -   5 grams 935         -   3 grams 254         -   1.2 grams CrIII Acetate         -   30.8 grams DE

Filter Press Test

This test was run to simulate the dewatering of the DE in a subterranean formation, and subsequent formation of a plug of DE and separate crosslinked polymer.

30 ml. of plain tap water was added to a beaker and subjected to mixing at 10,000 rpm in a Hamilton Beach commercial drink mixer with a solid agitator. To this blending water was added the above formulations (three separate runs). The sample was allowed to blend for 5 minutes at 10,000 rpm. After the 5 minutes of blending, this mixture was placed into the cylinder of a filter press in which substantial dewatering of the DE slurry occured without any pressure applied. Subsequently, 80 psi of pressure was applied to further dewater and consolidate the DE. Finally, heat was applied to the filter press to heat the consolidated DE and liquid run off. Both the filter press cylinder and collected run off (water soluble crosslinkable polymer and crosslinking agent-no visible DE) were placed into a 160 deg.F. water bath and allowed to crosslink. Without being limited in theory, applicant believes that residual polymer remaining in the DE after dewatering crosslinks and serves to promote the consolidation of the DE. Once crosslinked, the collected run off for all of the formulations promotes a rigid ringing gel.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described with particularity, it will be understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forth herein but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all the features of patentable novelty which reside in the present invention, including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. 

1. A method for plugging an opening in a subterranean formation comprising: (a) providing a conformance fluid comprising water or an aqueous solution, into which has been dispersed a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid, wherein the filter aid comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth or pearlite; (b) injecting the conformance fluid into the formation and into the opening to be plugged; and (c) dewatering the conformance fluid to force the polymer and crosslinking agent through the opening and into the formation, and to form the filter aid into a plug in the opening.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer is an a carboxylate-containing polymer, and the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) carboxylate complexes, aldehydes, dialdehydes, formaldehydes, glutaraldehyde, dichromates, titanium chelates, phenols, substituted phenols, ethers, aluminum citrate, and aluminates.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the polymer comprises a low molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight less than 500,000, and a high molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight of at least 500,000.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the polymer is a water soluble, carboxylate containing acrylamide, and the crosslinking agent is a chromium (III) carboxylate complex.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the filter aid is diatomaceous earth.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the filter aid is pearlite.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and comminuted plant material.
 8. A method for plugging an opening in a subterranean formation comprising: (a) providing a conformance fluid comprising water or an aqueous solution, into which has been dispersed a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid, wherein the filter aid comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth or pearlite; (b) injecting the conformance fluid into the formation and into the opening to be plugged; and (c) applying pressure to dewater the conformance fluid to force the polymer and crosslinking agent through the opening and into the formation, and to form the filter aid into a plug in the opening.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the polymer is an a carboxylate-containing polymer, and the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) carboxylate complexes, aldehydes, dialdehydes, formaldehydes, glutaraldehyde, dichromates, titanium chelates, phenols, substituted phenols, ethers, aluminum citrate, and aluminates.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the polymer comprises a low molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight less than 500,000, and a high molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight of at least 500,000.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the polymer is a water soluble, carboxylate containing acrylamide, and the crosslinking agent is a chromium (III) carboxylate complex.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the filter aid is diatomaceous earth.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the filter aid is pearlite.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and comminuted plant material. 